Decorating: Ways to Work Neon Into Your Colour Scheme
Refresh your colour scheme with bright neons that'll add colour and interest to your room
Ashlea Wallington
15 November 2014
I'm a a freelance writer and interiors enthusiast, working within the arts in Sydney. An avid collector of illustrated cooking and design books, I spend most of my free time baking, reading, writing and seeking out shelving solutions for my bulging collection. Completely obsessed with hard rubbish, I'm often spotted crawling along the road at the time of council collections looking for gems to take home and recondition.
I'm a a freelance writer and interiors enthusiast, working within the arts in Sydney.... More
Neon colours don’t usually come to mind when you think of decor. Most commonly connected to high-visibility workwear and fashion from the eighties, neon has started to make a comeback beyond the wardrobe. Due to its vibrancy, just the smallest inclusion of neon is enough to lift the design of your space, whether it is vintage or contemporary. Here’s how to get it right.
Soft furnishings
The idea of painting a whole room or wall in bright neon is understandably daunting, so why not introduce neon on a smaller scale to get started? Begin with rugs and other soft furnishings – you can always update the look if you tire of it, or build more neon features into your scheme over time. Set against timber flooring, tiles or neutral carpeting, a taste of neon among other colours can give any room an energetic lift.
The idea of painting a whole room or wall in bright neon is understandably daunting, so why not introduce neon on a smaller scale to get started? Begin with rugs and other soft furnishings – you can always update the look if you tire of it, or build more neon features into your scheme over time. Set against timber flooring, tiles or neutral carpeting, a taste of neon among other colours can give any room an energetic lift.
Pink pop
Take away the chair and print, and what do you have? A far less appealing home office, that’s what. Neon pink can add excitement in an instant.
Take away the chair and print, and what do you have? A far less appealing home office, that’s what. Neon pink can add excitement in an instant.
Stairway standout
If this doesn’t inject a surprise element into your home, I don’t know what will. These Parisian stairs are a knockout.
If this doesn’t inject a surprise element into your home, I don’t know what will. These Parisian stairs are a knockout.
Colour art
Don’t want to commit to one colour? Work several neon colours into the room through an oversized artwork. When an artwork is this bold, however, the rest of the room should be decorated around it. Adding any more colour to this room, for example, could have disastrous results – the homeowners have allowed the artwork to steal the show.
Check out more geometric patterns
Don’t want to commit to one colour? Work several neon colours into the room through an oversized artwork. When an artwork is this bold, however, the rest of the room should be decorated around it. Adding any more colour to this room, for example, could have disastrous results – the homeowners have allowed the artwork to steal the show.
Check out more geometric patterns
The same principles apply in this funky dining room.
Inspiring illumination
Send a message with neon lighting – you won’t help but notice this not-so-subtle writing on the wall whenever you’re home, and it will set the mood for gatherings, too.
Send a message with neon lighting – you won’t help but notice this not-so-subtle writing on the wall whenever you’re home, and it will set the mood for gatherings, too.
Monochrome magic
A combination of white and grey makes for a crisp and clean interior, but is also the perfect backdrop for a neon blitz – in curtains or bed linen, for example. These stunning three-tone curtains keep the three colours in balance with just enough of neon chartreuse to make the room come to life. This treatment works brilliantly in bedrooms with a subdued base of colours.
A combination of white and grey makes for a crisp and clean interior, but is also the perfect backdrop for a neon blitz – in curtains or bed linen, for example. These stunning three-tone curtains keep the three colours in balance with just enough of neon chartreuse to make the room come to life. This treatment works brilliantly in bedrooms with a subdued base of colours.
Pickets with pigments
Are you after something unusual to dress the walls in your child’s bedroom? If you’re not sure about painting an entire wall, select some neon colours, grab the paintbrush and coat some old fencing to hang on the wall. A colour sample can be found in your local DIY store. If you want to go a bit wilder, try several colours or patterns across the pickets, as in this room.
Are you after something unusual to dress the walls in your child’s bedroom? If you’re not sure about painting an entire wall, select some neon colours, grab the paintbrush and coat some old fencing to hang on the wall. A colour sample can be found in your local DIY store. If you want to go a bit wilder, try several colours or patterns across the pickets, as in this room.
Captivating cushions
The simplest additions can often have the biggest impact. The neon cushions brighten this otherwise neutral living/dining room. Perfect for second-hand or hand-me-down furniture that can do with a refresh, the integration of plain or patterned neon cushions add a dimension of contemporary style.
Sofa, Mark Tuckey.
The simplest additions can often have the biggest impact. The neon cushions brighten this otherwise neutral living/dining room. Perfect for second-hand or hand-me-down furniture that can do with a refresh, the integration of plain or patterned neon cushions add a dimension of contemporary style.
Sofa, Mark Tuckey.
Fluorescent flooring
White walls and timber flooring need not look bland with a colourful skirting board running across the room. A frame for the room and a charming focal point, neon lime green creates strong contrast and definition against timber floorboards and adds a delightful feel to the room.
Check out more ways to work in bright colours
White walls and timber flooring need not look bland with a colourful skirting board running across the room. A frame for the room and a charming focal point, neon lime green creates strong contrast and definition against timber floorboards and adds a delightful feel to the room.
Check out more ways to work in bright colours
Wild walls
When it comes to neon colours, ‘less is more’ is the best rule of thumb. A feature wall is the perfect way to add a refreshing neon boost without overdoing it. The bright tones create an invitation for other interesting colours and pieces to sit comfortably in the same room. And don’t forget to consider neon blue. While yellow, green and pink get the bulk of neon notoriety, a well-chosen blue can set the scene in any room.
When it comes to neon colours, ‘less is more’ is the best rule of thumb. A feature wall is the perfect way to add a refreshing neon boost without overdoing it. The bright tones create an invitation for other interesting colours and pieces to sit comfortably in the same room. And don’t forget to consider neon blue. While yellow, green and pink get the bulk of neon notoriety, a well-chosen blue can set the scene in any room.
Daring manoeuvre
Neon makes a strong statement so a neutral backdrop is the safest way to go. These neon upholstered chairs add vibrant colour to this dining room, but set against black and white, it’s very chic.
Neon makes a strong statement so a neutral backdrop is the safest way to go. These neon upholstered chairs add vibrant colour to this dining room, but set against black and white, it’s very chic.
The neon theme has been carried through to the living room, too.
Fabulous frames
Your duvet doesn’t have to be the only item in your bedroom to tell a story. A bright bed frame such as this one will life the mood. Paint the frame yourself if you already have a bed you love.
Your duvet doesn’t have to be the only item in your bedroom to tell a story. A bright bed frame such as this one will life the mood. Paint the frame yourself if you already have a bed you love.
Exuberant exteriors
It’s not only the inside of your home that can benefit from the magic of neon. Build an attention seeker like this and your neighbours’ homes would pale into insignificance.
It’s not only the inside of your home that can benefit from the magic of neon. Build an attention seeker like this and your neighbours’ homes would pale into insignificance.
Welcome home
Neon pink and green at your front door hint at the fun to be had inside. Paint the front door itself or to do the unexpected and just paint the frame. Set off the paintwork with an equally bright pot plant, bench or dining area by the door.
TELL US…
Do you love or loathe neon colours? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Neon pink and green at your front door hint at the fun to be had inside. Paint the front door itself or to do the unexpected and just paint the frame. Set off the paintwork with an equally bright pot plant, bench or dining area by the door.
TELL US…
Do you love or loathe neon colours? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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I love neon - probably because I was a teenager in the late 80s. The brighter the better! :)